ISSUE VI : Note from the Editor
introduction
By Sean Jacobs
THE NEW CONTEXT is based in the Graduate Program in International Affairs at The New School, which offers MA and MS degrees across several concentrations: Cities and Social Justice, Conflict and Security, Development, Governance and Rights, and Media and Culture. Coming out after the 2025–2026 academic year came to a close, this issue is dedicated to celebrating the students in our department, especially the graduating class, some of whom have contributed to THE NEW CONTEXT throughout their time here.
In total, twenty-six students petitioned to graduate from GPIA this past Spring. We wish them all the best in the next phase of their lives.
Mara Levi was awarded the International Affairs Faculty Appreciation Award, which is presented to a student who meets the highest standards of academic excellence; basically the best student in her class. She contributed a few pieces to THE NEW CONTEXT during her time here.
At our recognition ceremony, Bisan Hamayal was our Student Speaker. Bisan is graduating with a Master of Arts in International Affairs, with a concentration in Conflict and Security. While at GPIA, Bisan interned at PEN America, focusing on advocacy for persecuted writers and global freedom of expression. She also contributed to two group practicum capstone projects—one in Las Minas, Guatemala, and another with UNHCR examining the European Union’s efforts to outsource border enforcement to Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Mauritania. Here’s an excerpt from her speech: "I come from Palestine, where holding on to your dreams is not a luxury, but a form of defiance. Where hope is not abstract, but urgent. Where identity is not given, but something fought for ... international affairs isn’t just about understanding the world, it’s about imagining a better one ... This community, our community, has taught me that no one changes the world alone. That transformation is collective. That resilience is global. And that solidarity, when rooted in justice, is one of the most powerful tools we have."
The Michael A. Cohen Award honors a student who, like our program’s founder, demonstrated outstanding dedication to GPIA through tireless service and support that enriched the entire community in spirit and accomplishment. The award went jointly to Nikki Veltkamp, Jasmine Harmston, and Rebecca Snyder. Jasmine was departmental events coordinator, while Nikki and Rebecca worked as our front desk workers. All three contributed to The New Context; Nikki did more than once.
Jonathan Reinstein was awarded the Outstanding Thesis Award for his paper: “Environmental Citizenship and Territorial Development in Colombia: Navigating Grassroots Models In A Biodiversity Hotspot.” His work displayed “notable sophistication and rigor in its analysis.”
The selection committee also recognized Julie Caracino for her thesis, “The Role of Self-Determination In The Governance of Indigenous Community-Led Relocation.”
The Outstanding Practicum Award was presented to the student team that best demonstrated the character of their collaboration with a client organization, the quality of the final deliverable, and the project's potential impact. This year’s award went to the team that consulted with the Stimson Center on its Global Governance Innovation Report 2025, “Advancing the Pact for the Future and Environmental Governance,” which won the Outstanding Practicum Award. They are: Jasmine (from earlier), Sukanya Pasi, Medha Dhoundiyal, Irene Abarca, Roni Zahavi-Brunner (who has also contributed to THE NEW CONTEXT), and Mara. Sukanya and Medha are Parsons graduates.
The complete list of 2025 GPIA graduates is:
Crystal Appiah
Fernando Bercovich
Julie Caracino
Jeff Cifre
Hanna Eshetu
Chaznane Fidahoussen
Bisan Hamayal
Jasmine Harmston
Emma Jehle
Zeynep Kilik
Mara Levi
Bruna Magalhaes Zanin
Fleur Manishimwe
Leonie Natzel
Akash Patel
Abraham Paulos
Ana Pesoa Trejos
Habeebah Rabio
Jonathan Reinstein
Alex Rossen
Belinda Sanchez
Gustavo Serrano
Rebecca Snyder
Claire Stevens
Nikki Veltkamp
Roni Zahavi-Brunner
You may notice this issue carries several pieces from the archives of previous versions of this journal. The reason is simple: We were at the end of the semester. We hope you enjoy those pieces as well as new ones written specifically for this issue.